World famous. This is how the Devil’s Bridge Falls is described both on its website and at the ticket office. I’m not entirely sure that’s true and wonder how they could qualify this claim. Have you seen it feature in films like Niagara did in Superman or Iguazu in The Mission? You’re nodding your head from side to side I would imagine.
To be honest, I don’t even think Devil’s Bridge Falls are the most famous in Wales. Waterfalls like Swallow and Aber in Snowdonia are much more well known. This explain why they regularly feature in blog posts like this one. They are no doubt still stunning, but after visiting it, I don’t understand how and why enthusiasts miss out Devil’s Bridge. What a huge oversight!
I must also add at this point that their actual name is ‘ The Mynarch Falls’ but is almost always referred to as Devil’s Bridge Falls. This is how I’ll continue to name them in the remainder of this article. I guess William Wordsworth visiting and calling them ‘ the torrent at Devil’s Bridge certainly helped with this more popular name.
So why include a title telling you to visit and then start by pummeling the place with criticism? There is a reason. Yes we’ve established that these waterfalls probably aren’t spoken about in New York, Paris or Peckham, but they’re still an incredibly beautiful place to visit and deserve far more recognition than they get. At the very least, they’re the most impressive waterfalls I’ve seen in Wales and I have visited many. I guess it’s now time to delve into those five top reasons why you should come and pay these waterfall a visit.
1. Their Size and Scale
These aren’t the tallest waterfalls in Wales, but they do compete with the biggest boys when you factor in the various pools and cascades. When these are all considered, Devil’s Bridge Falls drops a total of ninety metres altogether.
Aber falls for comparison descends around thirty seven metres.
Visiting The Falls After heavy Rain
I remember visiting High Force up in the North Pennines during a dry summer spell and being underwhelmed by it if I’m honest. In hindsight I probably should have saved my first visit until the wetter months had arrived. It isn’t hard to work out that extra rainfall is going to increase the volume of water flowing over the waterfall.
Thankfully my visit to Devil’s Bridge Falls happened to be during a typical welsh spell of Autumnal weather. I was showing my friend Mike the area for the first time and it didn’t stop raining for the entire twenty two hours we were there. Camping high up outside Claerddu Bothy was a very soggy experience indeed. Click here to read about a fellow adventurer’s bike packing trip to the bothy in better weather. The photos are great too.
It is always amazing how quickly river levels can change in the hills after heavy rain. I remember experiencing this up in Scotland during the height of summer no less. A river in spate is no laughing matter.
The power of the water at Devil’s Bridge Falls was simply awesome and terrifying at the same time. It’s hard to understand at times where the volume of water comes from. We both couldn’t help but discuss what would happen if you accidentally fell into the torrent. Surely most people ask the same sorts of questions when they visit. One thing I can say with certainty is that visiting a waterfall when it’s in spate is well worth it. Check out the power of the water in the video clip below.
2. The Landscape
Devil’s Bridge Falls are located in a stunning part of mid Wales, which I’ll explore more in point five. While much of the area is wild and open, the hills surrounding the falls feel very much different. They are lush and covered in thick forest. The various cascades negotiate steep and rocky terrain, often passing through narrow gorges cut deep by the flow of water over many hundreds of years.
You are afforded many amazing views out over the landscape on the walk you complete alongside the falls. It’s hard not to stop and just marvel at how beautiful it is. It feels so lush that you could almost imagine the roar of a distant dinosaur!
3. The Walk Itself
You do need to pay a small entrance fee to view the waterfalls, but in return you are not only blessed with the amazing scenery along the way but also a clear path.
It was interesting having the cashier asking us both whether we had nothing better to do when we went to pay. Not exactly sales person of the year, but it turned out we didn’t. It’s one of the best things to see in the area for sure even if it is bucketing down.
It’s varied and challenging at various points with some of the steepest steps I’ve come across. Being relatively long legged, I made fairly short work of them, but could well imagine they’d be more challenging for those of much shorter stature. Unfortunately, it isn’t a walk you are likely to enjoy if mobility is an issue or you suffer from breathing difficulties.
Getting Close To Devil’s Bridge Falls
What is great about the walk is how close you can get to the waterfalls. One particular section allows you to feel the spray and get just about as close as you can without standing directly under it.
There are several well-surfaced areas away from the main path, where you can just stand and marvel at the beauty of the landscape you’re now part of. Well placed benches also allow you to take a rest if you feel like it.
4. The Village of Devil’s Bridge
Yes I know this isn’t strictly about the waterfall, but I couldn’t help but mention the other attractions available in the small village of Devil’s Bridge. There are several attractions, which you may wish to explore. There is the Three Bridges attraction, Hafod Arms Hotel, miniature railway and Hafod estate. Further details about these can be found here.
There is also a fabulous chocolatier in the village too. A stop here to watch the products being made as well as trying some is well worth it. Click here to explore their website.
5. The Cambrian Mountains
Finally I finish by referring to the wider area the Devil’s Bridge Falls are located in. Many visitors often flock to the national parks in Wales and fail to realise how incredible the middle of the country is.
The Cambrian Mountains are often referred to as the last wilderness in all of England and Wales. I adore the area and have returned many times to enjoy the solitude and landscape the area offers. Everything from lakes, moors, remote mountain summits and abandoned mines can be enjoyed. I have included several links below of trips I have completed and very much enjoyed. Feel free to have an explore and I hope it inspires you to visit. You may well find that the feel of the place leaves an impression on you in a way you weren’t expecting.
For more of a general guide of the wider Cambrian Mountains, please click here.
To Wrap Things Up….
Hopefully I have shown why a visit to Devil’s Bridge Falls is worth the visit. You are virtually guaranteed to be impressed by the wonders of nature and have the added bonus of including your visit as part of a longer exploration of The Cambrian Mountains. Don’t tell too many people though. The few numbers of visitors just adds to its appeal and anybody who loves the area doesn’t want that to change any time soon.
Happy exploring!